Brassiere



Dec. 4, 1962 H. STEINER 3,066,677

BRASSIERE Filed Nov. 25, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l n% \mi ILHAF full L INVENTOR.

Harry Steiner AT T ORNEY H. STEINER Dec. 4, 1962 BRASSIERE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 25

FIG.5

INVENTOR. Harry Steiner W ATTORNEY dfihbfifi Patented Dec. 4, 1952 ice 3,066,677 BRASSHERE Harry Steiner, 130-14 Cronston Ave, Bell Harbor, NY. Filed Nov. 25, 1959, Ser. No. 855,425 Claims. ((31. 128-489) This invention relates to a brassiere and more specifically to a brassiere having improved firm, but flexible stays which are adapted to conform to and support the female form.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved brassiere construction permitting conformance to the body form with increased comfort and support.

Another object is to provide a brassiere which maintains its appearance and shape, and gives natural looking accentuation and smooth silhouette to the female form.

Another object is to provide a brassiere which is readily washable and generally easy to care for.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of utilizing improved firm, but flexible stays that can be readily bent, twisted or squeezed without breaking or otherwise becoming permanently deformed in either the bust cups and/or in the side and back panels of a brassiere.

Another feature resides in the provision that the improved flexible stays conform readily to the contours of the body and enable the brassiere to maintain its shape after repeated washings.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of utilizing an improved flexible plastic stay in the bust cup enabling the same to be molded to the female form for attaining smoother and lovelier perfection.

Another feature of the invention resides in an improved brassiere construction providing maximum support and automatic adjustments to the movement of the body for breathe-easy comfort.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference 1 should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which is illustrated and described preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is the rear view of a strapless or halter type brassiere embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic showing of a modified ar rangement of the invention as employed in a strapless type brassiere.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the left half of a long-line brassiere embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the right half of the brassiere of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of a modified for-m of the invention as applied to the long-line brassiere of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates the rear view of still another modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is illustrative of the invention as applied to a strapless, or halter styled bras siere for wear with a low cut or evening type gown and dress. As shown in FIG. 1, the brassiere comprises cups 2t) secured to one another along a vertical seam 21 arranged to be disposed between the wearers breasts. Each cup 2% is formed by an upper panel 22, and a lower panel 23, the latter being formed in two sections 23A and 2313 joined by a vertical center seam 24. The upper and lower panels 22, 23 are sewn together along a substantially horizontal seam 25'. As shown in FIG. 1, the panels 22, 23 making up the cups 120 consist of an outer layer of ornamental lace 29A on an inner layer of mesh material 20B.

Connected to each cup 2;) is a front under-band portion 26. The front under-band as is formed of a layer of lace 26A, on a layer of elastic or stretchable sheet material 263. To provide for positive separation and support, each cup 2% is bounded along the periphery of its bottom half by a stiff wire stay or bone 27.

Secured to the outer edge of each front under-band 26 is the side and back band 2.8. This consists of a sheet of stretchable or elastic material which is stiifened by a plurality of vertically disposed stays or bones 2% and 3%, of which the former is made more rigid than the latter. The upper and lower edge of the brassiere 3E and 32, respectively, are trimmed with a suitable felt covered strip of elastic material sewn thereto. Suitable hook and eye type fasteners 33, 34 are connected to the ends of the brassiere to secure the brassiere in place. if desired loops 35 may be provided for receiving shoulder straps (not shown).

According to this invention increased firmness and support is provided in the cups Ztl. This increased firmness and support is attained by a pair of firm, but flexible, thin plastic stays 36. As shown, each cup is provided with a pair of plastic stays 36, which are vertically disposed and outwardly bowed to embrace the bust on opposite sides thereof. Stays to extend vertically between the upper and lower peripheral portions of each cup and are disposed on opposite sides of the vertical center line thereof. The plastic stays 36 are sewn on the inside of the cup 2-9, and are lined with a soft material to provide a smooth and warm surface against the bust. The use of plastic stays enables the cups to conform to the shape of the bust, yet are rigid enough to provide for increased support and smoother looking contour.

The use of plastic stays 36 further enhances the useful life of the brassiere in that the brassiere is better able to retain its shape after repeated washings.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a modified form of the invention. This form of the invention is identical in all respects to the strapless type brassiere, herein described, with the exception that the plastic stays 36 are disposed so as to extend horizontally across each cap as. For this reason the brassiere of FIG. 2 is shown for the most part only in outline form. In this embodiment the plastic stays 36 embrace the bust to provide the desired uplift.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modified form of the invention applied to a long-line type brassiere 50. Only the left half of the brassiere is illustrated, it being understood that the right half is similar, but opposite in hand. The brassiere comprises cup 41 formed from an upper panel 42 and lower panel 43 sewn together in the manner hereinbefore described with respect to FIG. 1.. The cup 41 is formed of a layer of lace material on mesh.

Connected to the cup 41 is a long-line lower front band 44. The lower front band 44 comprises a lace midrib portion 44A and an elastic midrib portion 44B sewn along seam 45. Reinforcing seam 4-6 is also provided. Immediately below the lower peripheral portion of cup 41 on the back side of band 44 is a panel 47 of elastic sheet material (FIG. 3) which is sewn to the midrib portions MA, 448 along a seam 43 and to the cup 41 along seam 4?. The upper edge 44C of the lower band 44 is not sewn to the cup and provides an open end pocket between panel 47 and front band 44.

Connected to the outer edge of the cup '51 and underband 44 is a side panel 50, and connected to the outer edge of the side panel is a back panel 51 formed of suitable elastic sheet material. Trimmed around the upper and lower edges of the brassiere is a felt covered elastic strip 52.

According to this invention firm, but flexible stays of relatively thin plastic strips are utilized as stays 53, 54 to define the vertical edges of the side and back panels 50, 51, respectively. Utilizing plastic stays, instead of the customary wire stays and bones, enables the brassiere to be more easily cared for, while at the same time enabling the same to retain its shape over a longer period of time. This is because the plastic stays can be readily bent, twisted and squeezed without suffering any permanent deformation. Also plastic stays enable the brassiere to more closely hug the body, and thereby pro vide a smoother silhouette which is so much desired by women.

FIG. 5 illustrates another form of the invention asembodied in a long-line brassiere of the type described. The details of construction are identical with that illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4-, with the exception that plastic stays 163 are incorporated in the cup 141. Plastic stays 16% are similar in all respects to the plastic stays 36 of FIG. 1 and are utilized for the same purpose herein described.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates another form of the invention. In this form the details of the brassiere are the same as that of P168. 3 and 4 described with the exception that each cup 241 is formed with two pairs of outwardly bowed stays 26b and 261 disposed at substantially right angles to one another. With this arrangement the bust is laterally and vertically supported, by the respective cups 241 by the lattice effect afforded by the crossing of stays 260 and The plastic stays 36, 53, 54, 16h, and 261 are formed of a suitable plastic that is heat resistant, and therefore will not deform when subjected to high temperature, as when washed in hot water or subjected to high heat of automatic dryers. Also the plastic stays are unbreakable.

The brassieres herein dsecribed are designed to provide the desired support, while at the same time flatter the female form. The elastic panels are arranged so as to automatically adjust to the body movements to achieve balanced support at all times, the use of plastic stays at the points described permits for increased firmness with smoother contour.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes there is illustrated and described herein the best form and mode of operation of the invention now known, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention covered by the claims, and that certain features of the invention may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

What is claimed is:

1. A brassiere comprising bust cups shaped to snugly receive the bust of a female form, a seamless front under panel connected to each cup in underlying relationship therewith, a stiff arcuate undercup wire defining the lower peripheral portion of each cup to provide positive support and definite separation, each cup including an upper portion and a lower portion secured together by a substantially horizontally extending seam, a vertical seam perpendicular to and extending between said horizontal seam and said undercup Wire dividing said lower cup portion into substantially two equal sections, a pair of feathery-light, flexible, thin plastic stays secured to each cup, said stays being on opposite sides of a medial line of the respective cups, said stays being adapted to readily conform to the shape of the bust, said pair of stays having their upper and lower ends substantially equally spaced, and a side and back panel formed of stretchable sheet material connected to each cup said side and back panel including vertically disposed stays of greater rigidity than that of the said plastic stays secured to said cups.

2. A brassiere comprising bust cups shaped to snugly receive the bust of a female form connected by a vertical seam, a front under panel connected to each cup in underlying relationship therewith, said under panel ina cluding a layer of lace material on a layer of stretchable material, a stiff undercup wire defining the lower peripheral portion of each cup to provide positive support and definite separation, each cup being formed by a layer of lace material on a layer of mesh material, and includes an upper and lower portion secured together by a substantially horizontally extending seam, said lower part being formed of two substantially equal parts joined by a vertical seam extending perpendicular to and extending between the horizontal seam and said undercup Wire, a of flexible feather-light, thin plastic stays extending vertically across each cup between the upper and lower peripheral portion thereof, said stays being rigidly fastened to the inner side of each cup on opposite sides of a medial line thereof, said stays being adapted to readily conform to the natural form of the bust while insuring a smooth silhouette, and a side and back panel formed of stretchable sheet material connected to each cup to enwrap the body, said side and back panel including vertic-ally disposed stays of greater rigidity than that of the said plastic stays secured to said cups.

3. A brassiere comprising bust cups shaped to snugly receive the bust of a female form, an under panel connected in underlying relationship to each cup, a side panel connected to each cup and connected under panel, a sheet of elastic sheet material forming a back panel connected to each side panel, thin plastic, flexible, readily washable stays extending along the edges of side panel connecting adjacent under and back panels, a pair of flexible, washable, thin, plastic stays extending across each of said bust cups, said pair of cup stays being bowed outwardly and extended in a vertical direction from adjacent the upper point of its respective cup to the under panel and a second pair of elastic cup stays extending horizontally across each of said cups and said first pair of cup stays.

4. A brassiere comprising bust cups shaped to snugly receive the bust of a female form connected by a vertical seam, a front under panel connected to each cup in underlying relationship therewith, said front panel including an elastic midrib portion and an inelastic midrib portion connected together by a sewn seam, a band of stretchable material connected to the rear of each front panel, said band connecting said front panel to its respective cu-p so that said band and front panel form therebetween a pocket, each cup being formed by a layer of lace material on a layer of mesh material, and includes an upper and lower panel secured together by a substantially horizontally extending seam, said lower panel being formed of two substantially equal parts joined by a vertical seam extending perpendicular to and extending between the horizontal seam and the lower periphery of its respective cup, a pair of flexible feather-light, thin plastic stays extending transversely of each cup between opposed peripheral portions thereof on opposite sides of a medial line thereof, said stays being fastened to the inner side of each cup and are readily washable therewith, said stays being adapted to readily conform to the natural form of the bust while insuring a smooth silhouette, a side panel connected to said cups and connected front panel, a back panel formed of stretchable sheet material connected to each side panel, and means for fastening the outer edges of said back panels together to enwrap the body.

5. A brassiere comprising bust cups shaped to snugly receive the bust of a female form connected by a vertical seam, a front under panel connected to each cup in underlying relationship therewith, said front panel including an elastic midrib portion and an inelastic midrib portion connected together by a sewn seam, a band of stretchable material connected to the rear of each front panel, said band connecting said front panel to its respective cup so that said band and front panel form therebetween a pocket, each cup being formed by a layer of lace material on a layer of mesh material, and includes an upper and lower panel secured together by a substantially horizontally extending seam, said lower panel being formed of two .sub-

stantially equal parts joined by a vertical seam extending perpendicular to and extending between the horizontal seam and the lower periphery of its respective cup, a pair of flexible feather-light, thin plastic stays extending transversely of each cup between opposed peripheral portions thereof on opposite sides of a medial line thereof, said stays being fastened to the inner side of each cup and are readily Washable therewith, said stays being adapted to readily conform to the natural form of the bust while insuring a smooth silhouette, a side panel connected to said cups and connected front panel, a back panel formed of stretchable sheet material connected to each side panel, thin plastic, flexible stays positioned in the seams adjoining said side panel to the respective cups and back panel, and means for fastening the outer edges of said back panels together to enwrap the body.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

